Physico-chemical properties, soil enzyme activity and population density of tea rhizhosphere microflora of inm treated pot culture soils

In modern agricultural practices recommendations were made to apply synthetic fertilizers in tea plantations. Five splits of fertilizer applications were done every year coinciding with wet seasons in plantations. Plants did not utilise the applied fertilizers completely for their growth and development, the required amount of nutrients plants uptake and the rest of its requirement is met by the activity of population of soil microflora to solubilise the unavailable form. Continuous application of chemical fertilizers is harmful to the rhizosphere microorganisms. A pot culture experiment was carried out to document the impact of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) under integrated nutrient management (INM) system on soil fertility, soil enzymes and microbial population. The treatments includes 100% NPK, 100% NPK along with bioinoculants, 75% NPK + bioinoculants, 50% NPK + bioinoculants, bioinoculants alone and control. Results revealed that nutrient status and soil microflora was enhanced and reduction of 25% NPK combined with bioinoculants registered significant variation among the various treatments. Detailed results were presented and discussed.